![[BREAKING] #EndSARS: Ugwuanyi imposes 24-hour curfew on three Enugu LGs](https://thenewsguru.ng/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Gov.-Ugwuanyi.jpg)
The Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi led Enugu State Government has imposed a 24-hour Curfew in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas, effective from 7pm today, Wednesday, October 21, 2020, untill further notice.
Recall that there has been reports of widespread violence in some areas following the fallout of the #EndSARS protests.
More details soon…
Nigerian highlife singer, Flavour together with the deputy Governor of Enugu State, Lolo Cecelia Ezeilo on Tuesday joined the End SARS protesters seeking an end to police brutality in the country.
The protest which began at Okpara Square had youths from different parts of the state who expressed their anger with youths from other parts of the country in demanding for an end to the unlawful operations and activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.
Also, Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike, popularly known as Phyno and another Igbo rapper, Zoro were part of the protesters.
Ibom Air has communicated plans to commence daily commercial flights from Lagos and Abuja to Enugu, from Monday September 14th, 2020.
This is a significant milestone for the airline which began operations last year and presently flies to four major cities in Nigeria including Abuja, Enugu becomes the airline’s fifth domestic destination.
Speaking on the the development, Ibom Air’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr. George Uriesi said travelers to and from Enugu will be treated to the excellent service and hospitality Ibom Air has become known for. He said “the launch of our Enugu flights from Lagos and Abuja is part of our organic expansion program. Our aim is to be able to offer our trademark experience of schedule reliability, on-time departures and excellent service to a wider pool of domestic travelers across the country”. He also said that the airline will be deploying its latest, state-of-the-art Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft to service the route.
The COO further assured that “safety and customer satisfaction are at the centre of Ibom Air’s operations and we will continue to work hard to meet and exceed the expectations of our teeming customers, so that they see us as their airline of first choice by all parameters”.
Ibom Air, whose shareholder is the Government of Akwa Ibom State, began operations in June 2019. Within just over one year of its existence, the airline has elevated and redefined domestic air travel within Nigeria, connecting the federal capital Abuja, with financial hub Lagos, Akwa Ibom Capital Uyo, leisure destination, Calabar and now the South East hub of Enugu. With its fleet of five new-generation Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets, Ibom Air sports the youngest average age fleet of any domestic carrier in the country.
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has relocated to Enugu with his officials and aides for adequate preparation towards the reopening of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport on Sunday.
Sirika, in a statement by James Odaudu, Director of Public Affairs in the ministry, on Thursday in Abuja, said the purpose of his relocation was to ensure nothing hindered the planned reopening.
The minister said his relocation to Enugu was also to monitor the finishing touches being done by the contractors handling the runway reconstruction and installation of facilities at the airport.
He said: “There have been apprehensions about the possibility of the resumption of flights at the airport as planned.
“This was as a result of an unwarranted and ill-advised pulling down of about two kilometres stretch of perimeter fence of the airport by an individual claiming ownership of the land on which the fence was raised.”
The Minister gave assurance that everything possible was being done to ensure that the people of the South East region begin to enjoy flight operations at the airport from Sunday.
Sirika commended the governors of the South East States, especially Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, for joining efforts with the ministry to ensure a successful return of activities at the airport.
The Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu was shut down in August 2019 to enable the Federal Government reconstruct the runway, which had become so dilapidated that aviation experts described it as an accident waiting to happen.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that during the earlier rehabilitation of the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Sirika had similarly relocated to Kaduna for a number of days to ensure a seamless operation of flights at the Kaduna airport.
Kaduna airport then served as an alternate to the shut Abuja airport.
Enugu State Police Command has confirmed two Department of State Security (DSS) operatives and four others dead in a clash with members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) on Sunday.
A statement explained police moved in following credible information that suspected IPOB numbering over 500 had gone on rampage, blocking and burning tires on the road.
They were said to have abducted operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS).
Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad AbdurRahman, immediately deployed operatives led by Enugu Metro Area commander to rescue the abducted operatives and restore normalcy.
“On getting to the scene, the operatives, who were joined by those of DSS, Army and Air Force, came under serious gunfire attacks by the hoodlums.
“They responded and in the ensuing gun duel, two of the hoodlums were gunned down while some of them escaped with bullets wounds.
“The Operatives successfully restored normalcy and rescued one of the DSS Operatives, who were at the said school to disperse the hoodlums from their unlawful assembly while two others were found lifeless in the scene and later confirmed dead.
“Five members of the group were arrested and they confessed to being members of the proscribed IPOB, and had gone to the school to hold a meeting and be trained in martial act and self-defense skills.
“Machetes, cut-to-size woods with nails affixed, phones and other items were recovered at the scene.
“Meanwhile, before getting to the scene, the hoodlums had macheted and gruesomely killed a young man, set another ablaze, while also attacking Police personnel resident in the area.”
The police warned that acts of rebellion by persons and/or groups capable of truncating the peace and tranquility enjoyed in the State will not be tolerated.
The statement signed by the Police PPRO, ASP Daniel Ndukwe urged hospitals and medical service providers against rejecting anyone seeking medical attention from bullet wounds.
It, however, advised that such patient should be treated and the police duly notified.
Members of the Indigenous People of Biafra have killed two operatives of the Department of State Services in what the Secret Police described as an “unprovoked violent attack”.
The development was contained in a statement by the spokesman of the Service, Dr. Peter Afunanya, on Sunday.
According to Afunanya, the attack on Sunday, occurred in Emene, Enugu State.
He said: “The Service lost two personnel in what was clearly an unprovoked violent attack launched by IPOB on the team.
“The Service hereby condoles with families of the departed officers and also prays for the repose of their souls.
“However, all measures have been put in place to ensure that their killers and everyone involved in this dastardly act are promptly apprehended and brought to justice. Consequently, a full scale investigation will be carried out with regard to the incident.
“Once again, the Service reaffirms its commitment to assiduously work with other security agencies to maintain public safety and order. It, therefore urges law abiding citizens and residents to go about their normal businesses without fear.”
There was tension in as men of the Nigerian Police Force and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra clashed on Sunday, in Emene, Enugu State.
The menace according to reports threw the whole Emene and environs into chaos and disrupted church services as worshippers run for their dear lives.
It was also reported two persons were feared dead while several IPOB members were also said to be injured.
Watch video:
An eyewitness who spoke to the newspaper said over 10 IPOB members have been arrested over the clash.
An eyewitness account said that the trouble started at about 7.00 am when some police officers invaded the Community Secondary School Emene where members of IPOB were meeting, to disperse and arrest them.
According to the account, the attempt was resisted, turning the encounter bloody with IPOB members reportedly overpowering the security operatives.
The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has announced the death of its priest, Rev. Fr. Joachim Cabanyes, following COVID-19 complications.
The Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has expressed dismay at the spate of flagrant violation of the restriction orders issued by the federal and state governments as well as the guidelines for the containment of the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) as advised by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other health establishments.
Consequently, the Command, through a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe Ekea, on behalf of the State Commissioner of Police, reminded residents of the State that “except where approved modifications exist, the stipulated restriction/containment orders are still in force”.
Reaffirming “its continued commitment to enforce the orders without fear or favour”, the Command listed the existing government directives as follows:
“*Border closure and inter-state transportation/travels ban, except for exempted essential goods and service providers;
“*Overnight curfew between 2200hrs – 0400hrs (10pm-4am), except for exempted essential service providers;
“*Suspension of all cultural and social gatherings, including marriage and burial ceremonies, masquerade festivals, drinking bars, night clubs, cinemas, gyms and all group sporting and recreational activities;
“*Closure of all educational institutions;
“*Closure of the Akwatta Section of Ogbete Main Market;
“*Markets to operate from 0800hrs to 1600hrs (8am-4pm), with the strict observance of all regulatory and preventive measures, including maintenance of social and/or physical distance, mandatory wearing of face masks by sellers/buyers, provision of hand washing facilities or sanitizer by shop owners/traders, etc;
“*Public religious places of worship to observe all the stipulated preventive guidelines during worships including, social and/or physical distancing, mandatory wearing of facemask, provision of hand washing facilities and/or sanitizer, each worship session to last for one (1) hour only, with worshippers not exceeding twenty (20) per session;
“*Restaurants and eateries to observe all the stipulated preventive protocol/guidelines of social and/or physical distancing, mandatory wearing of facemask, provision of hand washing facilities and/or sanitizer and no eat-in for customers – TAKEOUT ONLY;
“*Compulsory wearing of facemask in public places; and
“*Public transport operators rules on passengers’ conveyance in each instance remains:
a). Tricycle (Keke) – not more than two (2) passengers,
b). Commuter Buses – not more than two (2) passengers per seat,
c). City Cab – not more than three (3) passengers.”
The statement further stated that “the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad AbdurRahman MCPSS, MCJ, MNIM, while enjoining residents to remain law-abiding and compliant with these orders, has warned that any person(s) found violating them will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly”.
“To this end, the Commissioner has warned and directed all Area Commanders, DPOs, Heads of Tactical/Operational Departments and Formations to redouble their efforts to strictly and professionally enforce the orders to the letter.
“Meanwhile, residents of the State have been called upon to take responsibility to stay safe, be vigilante and promptly call the Command’s emergency hotlines on 08032003702, 08075390883, 08086671202 or 08098880172 for security complaints, reports and/or suggestions. They have also been enjoined to report any suspected case(s) of the COVID-19 infections to NCDC by calling its State or National emergency numbers on 08182555550 and 09022333833 or 080097000010 respectively”, it added.
![COVID-19: Enugu commences decontamination of all court premises, offices, fuel stations [Photos]](https://thenewsguru.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/WhatsApp-Image-2020-05-20-at-2.41.55-PM.jpeg)
The Enugu State Fire Service, today, commenced the decontamination and fumigation of all court premises and offices in the state, starting from the State Judiciary Headquarters complex at the Independence Layout, Enugu.
Briefing newsmen at the State High Court complex, the State Chief Fire Officer, Engr. Okwudiri Ohaa, said that the ongoing exercise was directed by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in furtherance of his administration’s efforts to contain the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Enugu State.
Engr. Ohaa explained that the first phase of the decontamination will cover the High Courts and Magistrates Courts, while the second phase will be the turn of the Customary Courts.
Noting that the court premises are among the sensitive places that attract influx of people, the Chief Fire Officer recalled that the administration of Gov. Ugwuanyi had recently carried out the decontamination exercise in Enugu metropolis and its environs, all major markets in the state, motor parks, hospitals, among other high traffic areas.
Engr. Ohaa who disclosed that the exercise will be repeated in some of the areas, pointed out that “from here (State High Court complex) we go to filling stations where essential services are also being rendered”.
He added that the exercise will equally be extended to “Nsukka zone and Awgu zone”, stressing that “it is only Enugu State that has been consistent in the decontamination and disinfection of its environs”.
His words: “The records are there; we have covered over 300 high human traffic areas in the state and we are continuing. The substance we are using for the fumigation and decontamination is powerful chlorine disinfectant mixed with calcium hypochlorite. It is internationally recognized and not harmful to health”.
Responding, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, Mrs. Martha Aroh-Onuoha, on behalf of the Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Priscilla Ngozi Emehelu, thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for his administration’s sheer commitment to safety, health and wellbeing of the people of the state.
The Chief Registrar said that decontamination exercise coincided with the directive of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, “that all courts should be decontaminated”, describing the exercise by the state government as a welcome development.